Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Wednesday 10 December 1997.

Notes:
* Indicates a question for oral answer.
[R] indicates that the Member has declared a relevant interest.
Questions for oral answer not reached receive a written answer.
Supplementary questions will also be asked. Other Ministers may also answer.

+ Indicates Government business.
Timings are indicative only.
++ These are ordinary written questions of which no previous notice has been given. For other questions for written answer today see the 'Order Book'.

At 9.30 a.m.

Prayers

At 9.35 a.m.

Adjournment Debates

1

ADJOURNMENT[Until 2.00 p.m.]

The Prime Minister

That this House do now adjourn.

Subjects proposed to be raised on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House:

9.35 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.

Sir Robert Smith

The rural economy.

11.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

Mr Charles Clarke

Cycling in an integrated transport system.

12.30 p.m. - 1.00 p.m.

Mr Martin Bell

The case of Major Milos Stankovic.

1.00 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.

Dr George Turner

Digital television (North West Norfolk).

1.30 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.

Dr Jenny Tonge

Future of town centres.

The Motion for the Adjournment of the House will lapse at 2.00 p.m. and the sitting will be suspended until 2.30 p.m. (Standing Order No. 10).

At 2.30 p.m.

Private Business

Note: Private business is not debated at this time, and may not be proceeded with if opposed.

PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL

Third Reading

Scottish Agricultural College Order Confirmation Bill.

At 2.30 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development

*1

Jacqui Smith (Redditch): What initiatives she has taken to promote greater reproductive and sexual health in developing countries.

(18421)

*2

Mr Christopher Fraser (Mid Dorset and North Poole): What is her Department's policy on reducing the debt burden of developing countries.

(18422)

*3

Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs): When the change in status of the Commonwealth Development Corporation to a public-private partnership will take place.

(18423)

*4

Mr John McAllion (Dundee East): What is her assessment of the impact of the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment on measures to reduce inequalities between rich and poor countries.

(18424)

*5

Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): What assistance she is offering for the adoption of intermediate technology by developing countries.

(18425)

*6

Dr John Marek (Wrexham): What plans she has to visit St. Helena.

(18426)

*7

Mr Stephen Timms (East Ham): What steps she is taking to encourage implementation of the Machel recommendations on children in war zones.

(18427)

*8

Mr David Chaytor (Bury North): What steps she will take to ensure that the Multilateral Agreement on Investment includes mandatory safeguards against unsustainable economic development in the poorest countries.

(18428)

*9

Mr Andrew Rowe (Faversham and Mid Kent): What plans she has for the Chevening Scholarship programme.

(18429)

*10

Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield): What steps she is taking to work with the government of Brazil to ensure that its continued economic development does not result in further destruction of its rain forests.

(18430)

*11

Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley): What plans she has to assist the poorest countries in the world.

(18431)

*12

Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): What recent representations she has received on the population issues raised by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Final Declaration.

(18432)

*13

Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): If she will make a statement on her priorities for assistance in the field of education and training to Bangladesh.

(18433)

*14

Mrs Jackie Ballard (Taunton): If she will make a statement on the United Kingdom's contribution in 1996-97 to the World Bank.

(18434)

*15

Mr David Willetts (Havant): What plans she has to set a timetable for reaching the UN target of aid as a percentage of GDP.

(18435)

*16

Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester): If she will make a statement on the World Bank's World Development Report 1997: The State in a Changing World.

(18436)

*17

Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East): What are her Department's priorities for co-ordinating European contributions to international aid programmes during the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union; and if she will make a statement.

(18437)

*18

Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East): If she will make a statement on the future of the Know How Fund.

(18438)

*19

Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow): If she will make a statement on the contribution which her Department has made to the Global Climate Change discussions.

(18439)

*20

Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West): If she will make a statement on progress on the elimination of land mines.

(18440)

*21

Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset): What plans she has to support NGOs working with street children in South America.

(18441)

*22

Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): What representations she has received regarding the UN target for overseas aid as a percentage of GDP.

(18443)

*23

Mr Malcolm Savidge (Aberdeen North): What additional steps her Department proposes to take to support small banana farmers in the Caribbean.

(18444)

*24

Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport): If she will make a statement on co-operation with Japan in the field of international aid and development.

(18445)

*25

Mrs Virginia Bottomley (South West Surrey): What targets her Department has set for sustainable development.

(18447)

*26

Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West): When United Kingdom official aid will exceed 0.35 per cent. of national income.

(18448)

*27

Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak): What progress she expects to be made by 2000 towards cancelling the unpayable debts of the poorest countries.

(18449)

*28

Mr Damian Green (Ashford): If she will make a statement on the cost of UNESCO membership in the last year for which figures are available.

(18450)

At 3.00 p.m.

Oral Questions to the Prime Minister

*Q1

Mr Michael Clapham (Barnsley West and Penistone): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18451)

*Q2

Mr John Townend (East Yorkshire): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18452)

*Q3

Mr Phil Willis (Harrogate and Knaresborough): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18453)

*Q4

Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18454)

*Q5

Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18455)

*Q6

Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18456)

*Q7

Mr Bowen Wells (Hertford and Stortford): If he will review the measures to protect the Green Belt contained in the proposed Hertfordshire County Structure plan revision.

(18457)

*Q8

Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18458)

*Q9

David Taylor (North West Leicestershire): When he next intends to visit North West Leicestershire.

(18460)

*Q10

Mrs Jacqui Lait (Beckenham): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18461)

*Q11

Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18464)

*Q14

Mr Fraser Kemp (Houghton and Washington East): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18465)

*Q15

Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18466)

*Q16

Dr Liam Fox (Woodspring): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18467)

*Q17

Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18468)

*Q18

Dr George Turner (North West Norfolk): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18469)

*Q19

Mr Chris Mullin (Sunderland South): If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 10th December.

(18470)

At 3.30 p.m.

Private Notice Questions (if any)
Ministerial Statements (if any)

Preliminary Business

Notice of Presentation of Bill

+ 2

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES [No debate]

Mr Secretary Prescott

Bill to make provision for regional development agencies in England; to make provision about the Development Commission and the Urban Regeneration Agency; and for connected purposes.

Formal first reading: no debate or decision.

Notice of Motion

+ 3

DELEGATED LEGISLATION [No debate]

Mrs Ann Taylor

That the Council Tax Benefit (General) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 1841) be referred to a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(4)).

Ten minute rule Motion

4

DOCTOR ASSISTED DYING [Up to 20 minutes]

Mr Joe Ashton

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable a person who is suffering distress as a result of his terminal illness or incurable physical condition to obtain assistance from a doctor to end his life; and for connected purposes.

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to ten minutes (Standing Order No. 23).

Note: It is proposed that a Business Motion will be moved at 10.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 15).

Main Business

+ 5

SOCIAL SECURITY BILL: As amended in the Standing Committee, to be considered. [Until any hour]

That this House declines to give a Third Reading to the Social Security Bill due to the inclusion of Clause 70, the effect of which would be to further impoverish some of the poorest children in the land as well as deepening the poverty trap.

Mr Paddy Ashdown

Mr A. J. Beith

Mr David Rendel

Steve Webb

Mr John Swinney

Mr Alasdair Morgan

That this House declines to give a Third Reading to the Social Security Bill because it unfairly penalises those who, with good cause, need to backdate their claim for benefit, because it undermines the independence of the appeals system, because it will damage the incentive for lone parents to move from sole dependence on benefits into paid employment, and because it will increase poverty among lone parents and their children.

Debate may continue until any hour if the 10.00 p.m. Business Motion is agreed to.

At 10.00 p.m.

+

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE [No debate]

The Prime Minister

That, at this day's sitting, the Social Security Bill may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 15).

+ 6

BROADCASTING [No debate]

Mr Secretary Smith

That the draft Channel 4 (Application of Excess Revenues) Order 1997, which was laid before this House on 20th November, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 7

LOCAL GOVERNMENT [No debate]

Mr Secretary Dobson

That the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) (National Health Service Trusts) Order 1997 (S.I., 1997, No. 2763), dated 20th November 1997, a copy of which was laid before this House on 20th November, be approved.

The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments has drawn the special attention of the House to the Instrument in its Fifteenth Report, HC33-xv.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 8

COPYRIGHT [No debate]

Secretary Margaret Beckett

That the draft Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997, which were laid before this House on 6th November, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 9

EMPLOYMENT LAW [No debate]

The Prime Minister

Mr Secretary Prescott

Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer

Mr Secretary Cook

Mr Secretary Straw

Secretary Margaret Beckett

That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 10230/97, on a proposal for a directive on part-time work, and European Community Document No. 10975/97, Parts A and B, on proposals for directives extending the European Works Councils Directive and the Parental Leave Directive to the United Kingdom; and supports the Government's view that these proposals will contribute to a flexible labour market based on partnership between employers and employees and decent minimum standards at work.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 119(9)).

+ 10

AGENDA 2000: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION FUNDS [No debate]

The Prime Minister

Mr Secretary Prescott

Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer

Mr Secretary Cook

Mr Secretary Straw

Secretary Margaret Beckett

That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 9984/97, Agenda 2000, as it relates to structural and cohesion policy; and supports the Government's aim that the reformed Funds should take account of the United Kingdom's regional interests and be fair to the United Kingdom in relation to other Member States, and that the reforms should make the Funds simpler, more efficient, affordable and durable.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 119(9)).

At the end of the sitting:

11

ADJOURNMENT

Proposed subject: Local government grant settlement for Dorset(Mr Christopher Chope).

Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).